The Laboratory of Social and Political Institutions of the Department of Sociology of the University of the Aegean was established in 2002. The purpose of the Laboratory is to study contemporary politics and governance, and the ways in which their transformations affect democracy, society and institutions. It examines a series of issues concerning the modern state and the relations between state, market and society, the various aspects of politics (social, welfare, etc.), the evolution, strategies and policies of the European Union and a number of international organizations, globalization (its phases and changes), political behavior and perceptions of social problems and phenomena. The objectives of the workshop include the study of the various crises of recent decades (economic, refugee, pandemic, etc.), their management policies, the political discourse produced and the emotional politics surrounding them, as well as their social impacts. At the same time, the broader values and socio-political trends that shape the way social life is organized and operated are explored. The approach to the above issues is based on political sociology and is oriented towards both social and political theory and empirical research.
The Laboratory develops its activity with the aim of deepening these issues through the production of scientific research work, relevant publications, research programs, and the organization of training seminars, workshops and scientific activities. The achievement of these goals is based on a broad and interdisciplinary range of methodological tools, ranging from quantitative and qualitative data processing techniques to theoretical and comparative analyses.
The Laboratory places particular emphasis on collaboration with academic and social institutions, as well as with individuals interested in these issues, including undergraduate and postgraduate students, Ph.D. candidates and postdoctoral researchers. The Laboratory also collaborates with the Master’s Program “Research on Social Development and Cohesion” (ETKAS) of the Department of Sociology at the University of the Aegean.